The Heroine of Auschwitz is a gripping and emotional read that brings the horrors of the Holocaust to life while celebrating the strength and courage of one remarkable woman. Mark DeMeza delivers a beautifully written story of love, loss, and survival that is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. The characters feel real, the historical detail is vivid, and the message of hope in the darkest times is unforgettable. A must-read for fans of WW2 historical fiction.

This is not just a book — it’s an experience. One that will stay with me for a long time.

Highly recommended for readers of historical fiction, especially those drawn to World War II narratives that honor the real-life courage and endurance of those who lived through it.

In The Heroine of Auschwitz, the author once again delivers a compelling, emotionally charged, and historically rich novel that clearly reflects his meticulous research and gift for storytelling. While his previous work in the series, The Thirteenth Child, introduced us to the Kirsch family, their friends, and collaborators, this second installment takes an even bolder step by presenting just two protagonists. Their dual perspective adds remarkable depth and nuance, allowing the reader to witness the horrors and small triumphs of survival through the two lenses. The result is a narrative that feels both intimate and expansive, capturing the resilience of the human spirit in the face of the most devastating circumstances.

Unlike the broader scope of the earlier novel, this installment is anchored in a single, haunting setting. That deliberate choice intensifies the atmosphere, creating a claustrophobic, almost suffocating sense of darkness that mirrors the protagonists’ struggle for endurance. The author balances that intensity with moments of humanity, courage, and hope, which shine all the more brightly against such a grim backdrop.

What makes this novel truly exceptional is not only its historical authenticity but also the way it immerses the reader in the emotional lives of its characters. Their fears, sacrifices, and acts of quiet defiance linger long after the final page. It is the kind of story that leaves a mark on both the mind and the heart.

With this installment, the author has expanded the scope of the Rachel Kirsch trilogy, and I am eagerly await the third and final volume to see how her story concludes. If the first two novels are any indication, the finale promises to be unforgettable.

As an avid reader of historical fiction and The Heroine of Auschwitz is one that truly left a mark. Set in November 1943, this novel follows Rachael Kisch, a young Dutch Jew who arrives at Auschwitz with her brother Hannes, only to be torn from him upon arrival. Her vow to find him becomes the emotional core of a story that is as harrowing as it is inspiring.
Mark deMeza doesn’t shy away from the brutal realities of the Holocaust. The scenes are vivid, painful, and at times difficult to read, but they are necessary. Even in the darkest corners of humanity, one finds flickers of light. Rachael’s bond with Ludwig Albin, a Polish farmer forced into the Sonderkommando, is one such spark. Their friendship, forged across barbed wire and under constant threat, but blossoms into something deeper. A testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
This story asks profound questions: Can love survive in a place built to destroy it? Can hope endure when death is only ever a gunshot away? And perhaps most importantly, how do ordinary people find the courage to resist, to protect, and to believe in something better?
The Heroine of Auschwitz is not just a tale of survival, it’s a tribute to the quiet acts of bravery that history often overlooks. It’s a reminder that even in the bleakest moments, love can bloom, and hope truly does spring eternal.

So many tragic stories are written about this time period, and rightfully so! But this book shows us hope in even the darkest of times! Set in the Auschwitz extermination camp between November 1943 and 1945. The painful story follows both Ludwig and Rachael as they face the abysmal treatment within the camp that makes their lives a living hell. This book is extremely well researched and I couldn't put it down once I started!

This is the second book in the Rachael Kisch Trilogy, although I hadn’t previously read the first book, however this did not spoil my enjoyment at all and it stands up well as a standalone book. I will however now be going back to read the first book.

Within this book Rachael arrives at Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp. Like all books set in the concentration camps this can be quite harrowing and distressful reading, which makes you think of the horror of those that found themselves in one of these death camps. The strength and courage shown by those who found themselves in this situation just shines through as it does for Rachael. Within the camp she finds love in the strangest of circumstances.

This was superbly written and the emotional rollercoaster Rachel finds herself on is both inspiring and harrowing at the same time, and this just oozes of the page. As you would expect there is very strong characterisation in this one and there are many nail biting situations that they both find themselves in here where their lives are literally hanging by a thread.

I feel this book stands up with the best of books set in concentration camps, and I look forward to continuing with Rachael’s story. I am happy to be able to recommend this book.

I’ve read many autobiographies about the Holocaust and visited Auschwitz. It is very important to understand that this book is one of fiction, set in a historical context. The author has obviously done his homework, but it is still a romanticised story of a horrific time in history. Saying that… it has been well written and it pulls on the heartstrings.

No matter how many WW2 Books you have read, The Heroine of Auschwitz is a must read. We cannot forget the real horrors of what happened to so many and do everything in our power to prevent anything like this from happening again.

It's heartwrenching to read what Rachael Kisch experienced at the camp. She shows such resilience and hope as she suffers.

Apparently this is book 2 in a series. I did not know this until after I read it, so now I will go back and read book one. I look forward to reading book 3 when it comes out as well.

The Heroine of Auschwitz is a deeply moving and harrowing World War II novel that places readers inside the walls of Auschwitz with unwavering emotional clarity. The story follows Rachael Kisch, a determined young woman separated from her brother upon arrival, and her bond with Ludwig, a Polish Sonderkommando, forged through courage and resistance despite the electrified fences that divide them.

Mark deMeza’s narrative shines through vivid, unflinchingly honest prose and historical detail. His portrayal of Rachael’s resilience—her unrelenting promise to find her brother and her defiance in the face of horror—creates a protagonist who embodies hope amidst despair. The novel also spotlights lesser-known Holocaust perspectives, emphasizing solidarity and quiet acts of defiance that persisted in the darkest of times.

While the subject matter is undeniably brutal, deMeza balances despair with the strength of the human spirit. The pacing sustains momentum by weaving action, emotional stakes, and historical context seamlessly, keeping readers invested in every moment.

Fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz and The Nightingale will find a similar emotional resonance here. The Heroine of Auschwitz is a powerful reminder of love, bravery, and the fight for humanity when everything is at stake—an essential addition to Holocaust fiction that honors survivor stories with grace and impact.

This was such a beautifully written story. I love how there continue to be stories of hope to rise out of such a dark time in our history.

This story follows Rachael who is a Dutch Jew sent to Auschwitz. She is separated from her brother upon arrival but finds ways to rebel against the Nazis as she works inside the camp. She meets Ludwig who uses his position in the Superkommando to help Rachael find her brother. But she finds more than she could have imagined in a dark and terrible place.

I loved this story and its representation of strength and hope.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Book whisperer for an advanced copy in exchange for my review.

In the second book in this powerful World War II historical fiction series, readers continue to follow Rachael Kisch after she is separated from her brother upon their arrival at Auschwitz. As she tries to find him, she meets Polish farmer Ludwig Albin, who works in the Sonderkommando work group, and they become friends despite being separated by the barbed wire fence. As time passes in the camp and their relationship grows, Rachael and Ludwig expose themselves to new risks as part of the camp resistance against the SS, including sadistic officers Otto Moll and Irma Grese, as they try to survive the horrors of Auschwitz. Packed with incredible details and fantastic characters, readers will love this powerful sequel in Demeza’s brilliantly written trilogy. The characters are the absolute stars of the book, and their growing relationship is really well written as the emotional heart of the story. The historical details and vibrancy of the setting really pulls readers into the book in some fantastic ways, and Demeza’s attention to detail and historical research adds fantastic depth to this emotional and powerful book. Intense, emotional, and fascinating, World War II historical fiction readers will absolutely love the latest book in this powerful series.

A heartbreaking but hopeful story of characters in WW2 concentration camps and the horrors they suffered. A horrendous subject written in a thought provoking way which kept me gripped.

So different than the hundreds and hundreds of books I have read on the Holocaust. A riveting account of Birkenau extermination camp between November 1943 and the advance of the red army and liberation in the beginning of 1945. This book concentrates on two areas of the camp –Kanada, which was what the store houses were called that held all the goods taken from the prisoners upon arrival and the Sonderkommandos who worked in the gas chambers and crematory. The harrowing story is told through the eyes of the two main characters Ludwig and Rachael as they encounter the gruesome treatment of Moll, Grese, and Hoss who run the camp and make their lives a living hell. This book is extremely well researched and keeps your attention from page one to the last.

I am very conflicted about this book. I started off annoyed that the author didn't explain where the rest of Rachael's family was, and didn't even mention that she didn't know their whereabouts until chapter 7. However, I came to find out later (when I was mostly through the book), that this is in fact the sequel to The Thirteenth Child, which is where Rachael's story begins. Having not read that book, I concede that there will be holes in my understanding. I appreciated how the author included very specific details, especially regarding the SK and their uprising. For example, the photographs they took and the thermoses they buried, which I found out are indeed real and not just a plot point. Mostly, the reason this book was not given 5 stars was because it seemed disjointed at times. I disliked how the characters were constantly referred to as nicknames, (for example, "The Pole"), not as part of the SS or Nazi thought process, but just in the general narration. I also found inconsistencies, such as measuring with yards, which I doubt would have been done. Is this nit picking? Perhaps. Did it take me out of the story? Also, yes. Did it bother me enough to refuse to read the first book and/or a potential sequel? No. In fact, I am hoping there is a sequel as the story of Rachael and her brother have not come to a conclusion.

DeMaza's The Heroine of Auschwitz tells one of the most horrifying and evil stories in the most heartbreakingly beautiful way. His vivid imagery leaves a hollow ache in your heart and stomach, yet the strength, love, and resilience of his characters begin to fill that void. On one hand, I was left emotionally shattered; on the other, I was so captivated by his characters that I couldn’t stop reading. In today’s America, the message is clear: people must read history, acknowledge it, and—most importantly—learn from it.

First I must say I wish I had read the first book in this series. But I still loved this book and found it moving, heart-breaking, sad, and disturbing to think people can be so cruel. I have read many books about the wars and I never tire of learning more, hearing more stories and thinking how very brave people were in these times.

This, as with all war stories, is about survival, It is a well written and well research book and is a book you feel you can take to heart. It is a book that is filled with hope and emotion as well as courage and hardships. I highly recommend it and will be searching out the first book and looking forward to the next one.

Thank you NetGalley and Book Whisperer for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book;

Embark on an unforgettable and deeply emotional journey through one of history’s darkest chapters with “The Heroine of Auschwitz.” This harrowing yet beautifully told story of courage, sacrifice, and the strength of the human spirit will leave you spellbound.

As someone who is particularly drawn to the history of World War II, I immediately was drawn to read this. The authors research dove deeper into the inner workings of the camps that I have not read and revealing the small but powerful acts of resistance and the emotional and physical toll endured by those who survived.

It must be noted that this is a very heavy book. The scenes are vivid, and at times difficult to read, but are crucial to understanding the story. You will feel the weight of fear, brutality, and unimaginable loss of those who lived through this horrific event. You also witness the flickers of hope and connection that helped the survival of many. This story serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of continuing to tell and read these stories.

I would like to express my upmost appreciation to NetGalley, Mark DeMeza, and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of this book. I am leaving this review with gratitude for the opportunity to share my honest thoughts on this truly remarkable book.

November 1943, Auschwitz, Poland.

When the train carrying Rachael Kisch, her younger brother, Hannes and the rest of the Dutch Jews arrives in Auschwitz, they are unaware of the unimaginable horrors that await them. Rachael is devastated when she becomes separated from her brother. She promises to find him at all costs.

Well, that will absolutely pull at your heart strings, that's for DANG SURE!
I love historical fiction, but of course (& unfortunately) this book does have some parts in it that are factual. Mark DeMeza does an excellent job of balancing historical detail with gut-wrenching details that again, are based on real life events. We need to continue on telling these stories so people know to NEVER, EVER forget the atrocities that happened. (still boggles my mind how some people think this didn't even happen? Like what??)

I loved the multiple POV's told from Rachael and Ludwig, knowing that they kept each other alive just by being there for one another. (but like omg, MAJOR SOB HERE BECAUSE WHEWWWWWWWW! 😭 straight to the gut, that is for dang sure.)

I loved how they included historical information like Poland's annexation, the conversion of the base to Auschwitz, finding buried scrolls, murder statistics, photographing evidence, and the real-life tormentors such as Irma Grese, Josef Mengele, Rudolf Höss and Otto Moll who gave their all to ensure immense suffering. (& if you didn't know like me, they were eventually liberated in May of 1945 whenever Germany surrendered.)

I wish I could give this book a thousand stars because of how well it was written and of course the tragic events that happened that made me cry.
HUGE thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for a copy of my eARC in exchange for my honest review.
All opinions are my own.

Great story of the natzi war. You can find love amoung the ashes and horrible situation. This was a sad book also with family getting separated and we never find out if they reunite

This was a good book if you like history. It was a good account of what happened to the Jews and their families. It's
a hard story to read, but tells the heartbreak and horror the Jewish people went through.

What a heartbreaking story. Really tough one to read. But enjoyed it at the same time. It was very well written. I couldn't put it down once i started. I was hooked. Very powerful. book to read